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+ servings

Kalkandu Pongal

Seema D Sriram
Topped with plump ghee roasted raisins, the kalkandu pongal is a unique dessert made as a naivedyum. Soft-cooked, gluten-free, sweet dessert is a favourite for its gentle sweetness and temple feel. Are you ready to try it?
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8

Equipment

  • Pressure cooker or instant pot

Ingredients
  

To pressure cook

  • 1/2 cup Raw rice Short grain
  • 1/2 cup Moong dal ( green gram dal, pasiparippu, cheruparippu, heserubele)
  • 3.5 cups drinking water

To add after pressure cooking

  • 1 cup rock candy crushed rock sugar
  • 2 tbsp ghee / clarified butter

for the aroma

  • 2 pods green cardamom
  • 2-3 strands saffron
  • 1 pinch edible camphor

for the ghee roasted raisin topping

  • 1 tbsp raisins
  • 1 tsp ghee

Instructions
 

  • In a pressure cooker pan set to medium heat roast the moong dal till aromatic
  • Add the rice, followed by water and mix well
  • Pressure cook the combo for about three to five whistles.
  • Once the pressure is released open the pressure cooker and set it on a simmer.
  • Add in the rock sugar and mix well.
  • Gently mash as you go along and simmer. Make sure it doesnt catch the bottom
  • Add the crushed cardamom pod, saffron and edible camphor and mix well
  • Add boiled water if the pongal becomes too thick.
  • In a small pan add the ghee, nut and th raisins. Roast till the raisins are puffy and add to the simmering pongal
  • Stir and its ready to serve
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!